Tooling Engineer, AI Satellites (Starmind)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Bastrop, TX is seeking a Tooling Engineer for the Starmind program to own the in-house tooling and manufacturing line for advanced on-orbit compute hardware. You will develop machining capability, drive DFM, and coordinate with design, upstream production, and suppliers to deliver high-quality tooling for satellites and data-center workloads.

You will lead cost optimization, manage schedules, and research new materials and processes to scale production while meeting mission deadlines

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field.
• 3+ years CNC machining experience.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop in-house machining capability for tooling and die.
• Analyze parts for DFM and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with design, upstream production, and suppliers to maintain tooling quality.
• Lead cost optimization and schedule management for fabrication.
• Identify and install new shop equipment as needed.

Skills

3D CAD

Manufacturing processes

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

Job description

Bastrop, TX

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal ofenabling human life on Mars.

TOOLINGENGINEER,AI SATELLITES(STARMIND)

SpaceX isleveragingits experience deploying andoperatingthe world’s largest satellite constellation to developStarmind, a new constellation of satellites capturing solar energy in space to power low-cost, high-performance AI compute for Earth. Realizing this vision demandshighly reliable,high performanceelectricalcomputehardware, solar power systems, thermal radiators, and more. These systems mustoperatein the extreme environment of space while delivering the connectivity, control, power distribution, and processing needed for orbital AI inference.

The Starmind team designs, builds, and operates the orbital compute fabric of the future. We develop nearly every key piece of technology in house – from the satellites’ flight computers and power systems to the fully custom compute electronics, memory, and networking that form the brain of our on-orbit data centers. As a Tooling Engineer on the Starmind team, you’ll have ownership over the entire manufacturing line for the hardware that enables advanced on-orbit AI processing and data center workloads. Your work spans the assembly, integration, and testing of industry-leading compute electronics, memory, and networking in order to achieve required domain sizes and processing workloads.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop machining capability in-house for the tool & die team and deliver high-quality precision piece partsrequiredto build internal tooling
• Analyze piece parts and assemblies for DFM to ensure that the parts areoptimizedfor manufacturing and assembly
• Create collaborative business plans with design engineering, upstreamproduction, andsupport teams and develop andmaintainpositive supplier/customer relationships
• Work between manufacturing and design engineers, machinists, technicians, and quality personnel to ensure processes are robust and any production problems are quickly solved
• Implement machining process controls that allow parts to run ‘lights out’.Leveragelatest technologies and programming strategies to reduce in-cycle intervention
• Identify, recommend,procure, and install machine shop equipment as well as ensure all equipment is thoroughlymaintainedand calibrated
• Responsible for cost optimization and cost reduction initiatives associated with fabrication and processes
• Continually develop and manage engineering capacity, schedules, and project plansin order tosupport production manifest as well as a diverse and variable R&D demand
• Research andidentifynew materials, manufacturing technologies and finishing options
• Inform estimations of prototype and production manufacturing costs - tooling, secondary assembly, secondaryfinishingand piece part
• Publish andmaintaindetailed schedules for each development project segment

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 3+ years of experience with CNC machining

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree or PhD in an engineering discipline
• Strong to expert level 3D CAD skills, including advanced surfacing and large assemblies
• Experience with Siemens NX
• Experience transitioning products from design to manufacturing and scaling to high volume as part of a cross-functional team
• Experience with manufacturingprocesslike injection molding, CNC, die casting, stamping, assembly, and box build in a production setting and a good understanding of the costs and schedule and complexity associated with each process

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines
• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here .

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s affirmativ... should reach out [e-mail] .